Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 16, 2012	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 16, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other revenue	$ 8,696.1	$ 8,833.9	$ 17,202.8	$ 17,337.8
Cost of goods sold	(6,414.8)	(6,542.3)	(12,664.5)	(12,779.3)
Gross profit	2,281.3	2,291.6	4,538.3	4,558.5
Operating and administrative expense	(2,143.2)	(2,152.9)	(4,294.0)	(4,307.8)
Operating profit	138.1	138.7	244.3	250.7
Interest expense	(64.4)	(73.1)	(128.8)	(144.0)
Other income, net	16.8	3.9	23.1	9.1
Income before income taxes	90.5	69.5	138.6	115.8
Income taxes	(32.4)	(21.9)	(25.6)	(38.0)
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	58.1	47.6	113.0	77.8
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(49.3)	75.3	14.6	118.0
Net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests	8.8	122.9	127.6	195.8
Noncontrolling interests	(0.4)	(0.2)	(0.3)	(0.2)
Net income attributable to Safeway Inc.	$ 8.4	$ 122.7	$ 127.3	$ 195.6
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations	$ 0.24	$ 0.20	$ 0.47	$ 0.30
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Discontinued operations	$ (0.21)	$ 0.31	$ 0.06	$ 0.46
Basic earnings (loss) per common share, Total	$ 0.03	$ 0.51	$ 0.53	$ 0.76
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share, Continuing operations	$ 0.24	$ 0.20	$ 0.47	$ 0.30
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share, Discontinued operations	$ (0.21)	$ 0.31	$ 0.06	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share, Total	$ 0.03	$ 0.51	$ 0.53	$ 0.76
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	238.7	239.5	238.0	255.5
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	240.8	239.8	239.7	255.9